AURORA B, Active

AURORA B is a member of the Aurora kinase family that associates with microtubules during chromosome movement and segregation. AURORA B localizes to the microtubules near kinetochores, specifically to the specialized microtubules called K-fibers (1). AURORA B inhibits the microtubule depolymerizing activity of mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK) by phosphorylating MCAK on Ser92 (2). This phosphorylation also regulates MCAK translocalization from kinetochores to the centromere. AURORA B has been identified as a target for the development of new anticancer agents since inhibition of AURORA B gives rise to the more pronounced antiproliferative phenotype.